Chapter 398: Laying Foundation
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Seasons came and went by; it was now the Year 1003.
The chilly winter was not fully over yet. In the middle of the night, even the most hardworking student would not be able to withstand the coldness and would have climbed into their warm beds.
Fang Yuan had long convinced Professor He Tianming to allow him to move out of the dormitory.
Currently, he was at a random spot in a small forest as he prepared to check his progress this past year.
For Fang Yuan to change his normal body to one with the properties of spiritual droplets, in the words of Wuxia novels, it would be like a normal person giving birth to a "spiritual root" from nothing. It was extremely difficult.
Furthermore, the laws of this realm were too harsh. Although the concentration of spiritual droplets was recovering, it was still as rare as a spring in the desert. Even Fang Yuan had to spend a year plus to complete his foundation-laying process.
That was even after the increased concentration of spiritual droplets in the past one year. Else, Fang Yuan estimated it would have taken him at least three years instead to completely form his first grade of Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell.
"Breathe..."
Accompanied by Fang Yuan's deep breaths, even the moonlight in the skies blurred slightly for a while as they were warped and sucked into Fang Yuan's dantian.
A clear stream moved around Fang Yuan's body and immediately, on his stats window, the 99.99% behind his Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell increased by one point and was fully completed.
"Rumble!"
Instantaneously, Fang Yuan felt his body vibrate as a mysterious change occurred inside his body and a circulation was formed at once.
His blood flow became faster, his face turned red and large amounts of sweat were squeezed out from his pores along with a smelly impurity.
"I guess this... is the same as the ancient method of marrow cleansing as recorded in the Classic of Changes?"
Fang Yuan took out his shirt quickly and jumped into the small river without any fear of cold. He then washed away the filth on his body.
Moments later, he climbed up and wiped dry his body before looking at his stats:
"Name: Fang Yuan
Essence: 1.0
Spirit: 1.0
Magic: 1.0
Profession: ???
Cultivation: ???
Technique: [Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell (Grade 1 (Completed))]
Skill: [Medicine (Level 3)], [Botany (Level 5)], [Fiery Golden Eyes (Level 1)]"
"1st Grade of Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell completed — body transformation completed, transformed into Spiritual Droplets Affined Body! Energy sense increased!"
"Spiritual Droplets Affined Body, this actually means I'm an evolver now..."
Fang Yuan closed his eyes slightly. He no longer needed guiding needles to guide him, with just a thought, he could sense the spiritual droplets in the air. Unfortunately, there were way too little spiritual droplets, they were as rare as an oasis in the desert.
"At least I have managed to cultivate some spiritual energy which I could use. My medicine skills have recovered by more than half!"
Fang Yuan tilted his head and thought. He then suddenly waved his hand.
"Swoosh!"
Silver light shined, a row of silver needles flew out and struck the surface of the pine tree neatly and impressively.
Within a few yards, this hidden weapon technique that was impossible to guard against was even already better than firearms. Other skilled martial artists in this realm would all die to this technique.
At this stage, Fang Yuan had some ability to defend himself.
Fang Yuan could not help but gave a wry smile at such.
The reason why Fang Yuan initially moved out of the dormitory was because he felt he was tailed and spied on a few times. Thus, he could only bear patiently for a few months before the monitoring became less tight. But till now, the monitoring was not completely gone.
To put it nicely, it was a form of caring and prevention. After all, Fang Yuan was just a 16 years old teenager that had to be slightly looked after.
This was a necessary price he had to pay after being allowed to move out of the dormitory.
"Nevertheless... it's about time!"
Fang Yuan tried to figure out his body's transformation, "I have already accumulated sufficient knowledge! If I do or say something unexpected, although it would be eye-catching, at least it would not shock the world nor arouse suspicions..."
"If I don't attract attention, how would I be favoured by the superiors? How would I be able to enter the core research laboratory?"
In this past one year, Fang Yuan managed to be on a few projects through Professor Tian's connections and earned some extra income through being their assistants. He even had the chance to use the laboratory equipment occasionally. However, he was still thousands of miles away from his aims.
Last time, Fang Yuan had to be more reserved and restrained, but now, since the first grade of his Elemental Spiritual Energy Cultivation Spell was completed, he had fewer scruples.
...
Sambhogakaya Monastery.
After a night of martial arts training, Fang Yuan mixed into the group of people who were doing morning exercises. He then bought a cup of soy milk and a few donkey sandwiches before going to his own shop.
"Morning, Little Boss!"
Fang Yuan's antique stall, named "Heart Questioning House", had already opened for business. One of the shop assistants was a 20 something years old student. When she saw Fang Yuan, she immediately greeted him brightly.
"Didn't I say before, call me Fang Yuan or boss..."
Fang Yuan rolled his eyes and went into the shop and was very satisfied as he saw how clean and spotless the shop was.
Sun Jian recommended Fang Yuan two stall assistants, Ding Qiuyu who worked the morning shift and Zhao Lihong who worked the afternoon shift. Both of them were students from the nearby universities who wanted to earn some extra income. As they did shift work, they only worked for less than half a day which was not very tiring.
Ding Qiuyu was a northerner and had the bright and forthright attitude of a northern girl. As Fang Yuan was younger than her, she liked to tease him and Fang Yuan was used to it after a while.
"Why are you free to come to the shop today, Little Boss?"
Ding Qiuyu held the broom and asked while smiling.
She was curious about this young boss who was not only specially invited to enter Xijing University, he also opened a shop in the capital. Furthermore, she heard he used to be an orphan.
Just that point alone made her very respectfully of Fang Yuan, as the soft spots in her hearts felt moved.
"I was just having my morning exercises nearby, I brought you some donkey sandwich!"
Fang Yuan smiled and placed the sandwiches on the table, "Eat first and continue later!"
"I'll finish up before I eat, anyway it's nothing much!"
Ding Qiuyu was deft in her work and her mouth could not stop moving too, "Lately, there aren't many customers visiting. There were a few who wanted to buy the Aquilaria Maitreya though, but once they heard the price, they rolled their eyes and walked away. Boss, do you want to drop the price?"
She felt this Little Boss was not good at doing business.
Although the shop was opened, after one whole year of hard work, there was not much profit left after deducting the capital costs and labour costs. Fang Yuan might as well rent the shop out which he would earn similar amounts from the rent.
"No need, remain at that price! They'll buy if they want to buy!" Fang Yuan replied with a smile.
Fang Yuan drank the soy milk and felt the smooth and rich taste glide pass his throat.
Fang Yuan obviously knew the market value for the Aquilaria Maitreya, just based on its price as an antique, it was worth around 20,000 to 30,000 dollars. With how Fang Yuan priced it at 300,000, it was obvious he did not want to sell it.
Firstly, it was a display meant to attract customers.
Secondly, due to the spiritual aura on the Aquilaria Maitreya which even Fang Yuan could not understand, Fang Yuan was displaying it as a bait to catch those who could see it.
Of course, the stall assistants did not have to know about these reasons.
"Qiuyu, are you busy?"
At that moment, a youth walked into the stall and his eyes lit up the moment he saw Ding Qiuyu, "I'll help you!"
"It's ok, no need! My boss is here!"
Ding Qiuyu was a bit shy, which was rare for her, and she smiled while hitting the youth, "This is my friend from the same village, Chen Bo! Boss, it's your first time meeting him right?"
"I guess not."
Fang Yuan smiled and greeted, "I never expected... our school's boxing champion to come to my humble shop!"
This Chen Bo was the one with the Five Beasts Technique whom Fang Yuan spied on previously.
Fang Yuan observed the way he walked and could tell he had already reached the Strength Opening Realm and was one of the more highly skilled masters in the capital.
"Oh, both of you are from Xijing University, no wonder all of you know each other!" Ding Qiuyu realised.
"My junior!"
In front of the woman he loved, Chen Bo did not have any hint of fierceness left in him unlike when he was practising his martial arts. He smiled in a friendly and loving manner and said, "Qiuyu and I are good friends. I heard about you from her many times, thanks for taking care of her!"
"It's nothing!"
Fang Yuan smiled and then placed a few medicine bottles on the table, "Eh... some business matters. I made some Opening Point Incense, you can burn one every day to observe its effects and sell the rest."
"Opening Point Incense?"
Ding Qiuyu picked up one bottle, opened the lid and took a sniff, "The aroma... is so unique!"
"This incense is specially made by me, it can invigorate and keep the mind awake, and also balance your energy and blood flow! There's definitely a market for it!" Fang Yuan narrated.
In reality, for Fang Yuan to really earn money, it was sufficient for him to just tour around the Sambhogakaya Monastery every day.
This stall, the Aquilaria Maitreya, the Opening Point Incense and such were all baits.
Furthermore, being called a "boss" felt quite good to Fang Yuan, although the title of "self-employed person" still did not sound as nice.
"Ok, I should leave now..."
Chen Bo felt weird acting all friendly in front of the stall's boss and left first.
Shortly after that, Fang Yuan also left Heart Questioning House too and he went back to his house.
Fang Yuan was now residing in a small courtyard house which was not far from Xijing University. The house was large enough and had a small yard.
The moment he stepped into his front yard, he could smell a herbal aroma from the herbs he planted.
The ingredients of Opening Point Incense were all from here.
With the special ability of botany, these medicinal herbs had decent medicinal properties which were comparable to wild herbs grown deep within the forests and mountains. Furthermore, the formula was found in an ancient book, people who understood the goods would naturally be attracted.
"After preparing for one year, I should finally do something."
Fang Yuan packed his stuff and went to Xijing University to look for He Tianming.
"What? You are preparing to apply for graduation?"
He Tianming looked at Fang Yuan and his forehead frowned into numerous creases.
"Come, take a seat first!"
The request gave He Tianming a headache and he asked Fang Yuan to sit down first.
"How come you are thinking of graduating? I was preparing to send you straight for a direct master's degree!"
"I have already heard most of the graduate school's lessons and learnt most of it myself."
Fang Yuan placed his hands on his kneecaps and calmly replied.
"But a master's degree is different! Although an undergraduate degree can land you a job, the difference between an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree's treatment and future potential for progress is night and day..."
He Tianming tried to convince and persuade Fang Yuan but Fang Yuan would not budge at all. He Tianming had no choice and shook his head, "Fine... have you thought about your thesis?"
"Yes, I will be writing about Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern medicine!" Fang Yuan answered.
"Ok, I will give a call to arrange you to join this term's thesis defence!"
He Tianming nodded his head and sent Fang Yuan off. He then went back to the sofa and ruminated.
Half an hour later, He Tianming finally made up his mind and picked up his phone.